French public broadcaster France 5, part of France Televisions, will launch its first HbbTV service around its daily flagship show C dans l’air, writes Le Figaro.
The HbbTV service will begin on Tuesday, April 10. The channel has chosen its C dans l’air programme, because it is by far the broadcaster’s best watched daily show, with an audience share ranging between 11 and 14% – or between 2 and 2.5 million viewers.
“This is the strongest programme on the channel and therefore the ideal programme to experiment with connected TV,” said Bruno Patino, head of the digital TV division of France Televisions.
The broadcaster plans to have more try-outs with HbbTV services before the end of the year. This will include interactive applications for the coverage of the Roland Garris tennis tournament.
According to the newspaper, France Televisions will also add its Pluzz catch-up TV and VOD service to Google TV, which will launch in France later this year. Also planned are interactive HbbTV apps during the Summer Olympics.
In total France Televisions plans to spend €60 million for digital developments in 2012, including €20 million for the regions and overseas territories.
